How can I become an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney?

Each of Michigan's 83 counties elects a Prosecuting Attorney every four years (during the Presidential election). Depending on staffing needs and budgets, each Prosecuting Attorney may hire Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys (APAs). Small counties may not have any APAs, while the largest counties may have several hundred to handle high caseloads and the wide-ranging responsibilities imposed on prosecutors by statute.

Prosecuting Attorneys and APAs are lawyers, licensed to practice in Michigan. As with other, prosecutors generally complete a four-year college degree and then go to law school, which generally takes three more years. After graduation, most states (including Michigan) require lawyers to pass an examination to become licensed to practice law in that state. Michigan's "bar exam" takes two days, but other states' exams take three days.

Job openings in Prosecuting Attorney offices occur periodically. If you are interested in working in a particular county, you should contact that Prosecuting Attorney for information on job openings, qualification requirements, etc.

Show All Answers

1. How do get a criminal charge issued? Can I report a crime directly to the Prosecutor's office?
2. I am the victim. Can I drop the charge?
3. Can I issue counter-charges against someone?
4. How do I get my property back?
5. How do I get a copy of a police report? Is it free?
6. Where do I get court forms?
7. How do I get a copy of a person's criminal record? Is it free?
8. Can you tell me if a charge has been issued yet? Can you tell me if an arrest warrant exists?
9. Can you tell me a defendant's next court date?
10. I was the victim of a violent crime. Will the Prosecuting Attorney pay for my hospital bill and my lost wages, help me collect for pain and suffering, etc?
11. The defendant is not paying court-ordered restitution. Who can help me?
12. I was cheated by a contractor, shopkeeper or someone else who provides labor or services. Can the Prosecuting Attorney help me?
13. I want to work in your office. Do you have job openings? What is the pay scale?
14. How can I become an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney?
15. I have been subpoenaed to appear as a witness in a criminal case. Can I get witness fees? What if I can't attend on the date stated in the subpoena?
16. Is your job risky or dangerous?
17. I want a divorce. I also need help getting child support. Can the Prosecutor's office help me?
18. I want a restraining order to keep someone away from me. Will the Prosecuting Attorney do this for me?
19. Can I talk to Mr. Lloyd? I think he's the person who is working on my case since his name appears on my court documents.
20. How do I get a court-appointed attorney?
21. I am a defendant and I don't like the attorney who is representing me. Can I talk to Mr. Lloyd or one of the Assistant Prosecutors about my case?
22. Why are some cases plea bargained?
23. Where is Eaton County?
24. What if I have a question which is not answered in your FAQs?